Cixi had initially accepted a twenty-year preparatory timetable for the imperial constitution. Over time, she trimmed it down to nine years. By 1908, the Qing government drafted its Outline of the Imperial…
Kang Youwei was summoned by Emperor Guangxu in Changan, who issued an edict on national policy reform. With steady determination, Guangxu entrusted Kang with the task of reforming the country's institutions…
Deng Shichang stood on the quarterdeck as chaos erupted around him, the flagship's formation disintegrating with every passing moment. The Zhiyuan and Jingyuan went down in flames, their national heroes lost…
Yaqub Beg seized power in Xinjiang, foreign capitals rushed to secure footholds, signing treaties and jockeying for privileges. Meanwhile, a Ryukyuan ship was caught in a typhoon off southern Taiwan's coast,…
Yang sprawled on his grand bed, surrounded by brightly colored goldfish swimming in a channel around it, as he held council with subordinates by day and caroused with beauties at night.